Marines at prayer

U.S. marines in full battle dress are captured praying before they advance to their combat positions. The photo was taken near the coastal city of Da Nang, which was home to a major air base. Indeed, this was the landing place for the first American combat troops sent to Vietnam back in 1965.

Rescued by airlift

Life was certainly tough for the armed combatants during the Vietnam War. But it was often even tougher for the hapless civilians caught up in the conflict. These examples, distressed as they obviously were, had the good luck of being dramatically rescued.